Buckle



Nov. 17, 1931. D. RAY 1,832,738

BUCKLE Filed April 25, 193i Patented Nov. 17, 1931 PATENT OFFICE DAISY BAY, OF PORTLAND, OREGON BUCKLE Application filed April 23,

This invention relates to a buckle designed primarily for use in connection with shoe laces forshoes of the oxford or other types employing shoe laces, but it is to be understood that a buckle in accordance with this invention may be employed in any connection for which it may be found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a buckle for anchoring the endsof the lace to prevent the loosening of the latter when the shoe is in'laced up position and further for concealing the ends of the lace.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a buckle for not only anchoring the ends of a shoe lace to prevent the loosening of the latter, but when used materially enhancing the .appearance of the shoe with which it is employed as well as preventingthe flapping around of the ends of theshoe lace when the shoe is in laced up position.

I Further objects ofthe invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a buckle for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact,ornaniental in appearance, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily arranged relative to the lace forthe purpose of anchoring the ends thereof, and inexpensive to manufacture.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel .construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown anembodiment 'of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. V

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views r 1 Figure 1 1s a perspective view of a shoe of the oxford type showing the adaptation with the lace thereof of abuckle in accordance with this invention. i Figure-2is a front elevation of the buckle.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation with the ends 1931. Serial No. 532,290.

of the lace anchored and concealed by the buckle.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the buckle as applied tothe shoe ace.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the buckle.

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates a shoe of the laced type, 3 the lacing and 4:, 5 the ends of the lacing.

The buckle includes a rectangular frame comprising a pair of side bars 5, 6, a pair of end bars 7, 8 and a centrally disposed" transverse cross bar 9. The intermediate portion 9 of each side bar is of greater thickness and width than the outer portions of the bars and provides spaced shoulders. The shoulders are indicated at 10, 11. 12 and 13. The end bars are of greater thickness than the outer portions of the side bars to provide shoulders 14, 15,16 and 17. The cross bar .9 is integral with and flush with the intermediate portions 9' of the side bars 5, 6.

The bar 9 is of a width less than the length of the intermediate portions 9'; Each end bar has each. of .its lengthwise edges corrugated as indicateda-t 18.

'Slidably mounted upon the outer portions of the side bars 5,6 is a pair of oppositely disposed grippers, one having one end positioned between the shoulders 10 and 14 and its other end between the shoulders 12 and 15 and the other gripper has one end positioned between the shouldersll and 16 and its other end between the shoulders 13 and 17. Each gripper includes a pair of oppositely disposed spaced coupling parts 20, 21 having extending therein and secured thereto atoothed edged member 22 which has its teeth 19 oppose the corrugated inner edge 18 of an end bar. The coupling parts of the grippers are slidably mounted on the outer portions of the side bars 5, 6 and each gripper associates with an end bar for anchoring the lace therebetween. The toothed members 21 of the grippers have their ends oppose the inner side edges of the outer portions of the side bars 5, 6. T

The bar 9 has its outer face provided with a pair of aligning, spaced apertured lugs 23. Mounted in the lugs 23 as well as being fixedly secured thereto is a pivot- 24. Loosely mounted at their inner ends upon the pivot 24 is a pair of oppositely disposed concealing members 25, 26 for the ends of the lace. Each of said members in lengthwise section is of compound curvature. The convex part 26 of each member is of greater length than the concave part 27 thereof. The convex parts 26 of said members have their inner ends provided with aligning barrels 28 through which extends the pivot 24. The outer portion of each concealing member is tapered as indicated at 29. The inner portion of each concealing member is of a width slightly greater than the width of the frame. The concealing members project beyond the end bars of the frame and each carries a latching pin 30 which coacts with an outer edge of an end bar for latching the concealing members in position to conceal an outer end terminal portion of the lace. The latching pins or members are resilient and of curved contour. It is to be understood however that any suitable means can be employed for normally maintaining the concealing members in closed position. The partsQG of the members 25, 26 conceal the end portions of the lace after such end portions have been anchored by the buckle.

The buckle is held in place only by the shoe lace coming from the last eyelet opposing the ends of the buckle. The ends of the shoe lace are inserted between the grippers and the ends of the frame and the ends of the lace are passed over the grippers and passed thereunder. The grippers are shifted by the end portions of the lace towards the end bars of the frame and which tightly clamp the lace therebetween. The free parts of the end portions of the lace are placed in position to be concealed by the members 25, It is essential to draw the lace tight before pulling the grippers towards the end bars of the frame to anchor the lace to prevent the loosening thereof.

The buckle can be of any size and constructed of any suitable material and the concealing members 25, 26 can be of a form different from that shown, but of such form as to conceal the end terminal portions of the lace when latter are anchored to maintain the shoe in laced up position.

What I claim is 1. A buckle comprising a frame including a pair of end and a pair of side bars and a cross bar spaced from the end bars, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said side bars between said cross bar and said end bars and coacting with the latter to anchor a shoe lace, and a pair of oppositely disposed shoe lace end concealing members hinged at their inner ends to said cross 'bar and projecting beyond said end bars.

2. A buckle comprising a frame including a pair of end and a pair of side bars and a cross bar spaced from the end bars, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said side bars between said cross bar and said end bars and coacting with the latter to anchor a shoe lace, a pair of oppositely disposed shoe lace end concealing members hinged at their inner ends to said cross bar and projecting beyond said end bars, and means for normally maintaining said members in concealing position with respect to the ends of the lace.

3. A buckle comprising a frame including a pair of end and a pair of side bars and a cross bar spaced from the end bars, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said side bars between said cross bar and said end bars and coacting with the latter to anchor a shoe lace, a pair of oppositely disposed shoelace end concealing members hinged at their inner ends to said cross bar and projecting beyond said end bars, and each of said concealing members being of compound curvature in lengthwise section.

4. A. buckle comprising a frame including apairofendandapairof side bars and a cross bar spaced from the end bars, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said side bars between said cross bar and said end bars and coacting with the latter to anchor a shoe lace, a pair of oppositely disposed shoe lace end concealing members hinged at their inner ends to said cross bar and projecting beyond said end bars, means for normally maintaining said members in concealing position with respect to the ends of the lace, and each of said concealing members being of compound curvature in lengthwise section.

5. In a buckle, a frame, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said frame, said grippers and frame having coacting means for anchoring the end terminal portions of a flexible object thereto, and a pair of oppositely disposed members hinged to the front of the frame for concealing the said anchored terminal portions.

6. In a buckle, a frame, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said frame, said grippers and frame having coacting means for anchoring the end terminal portions of a flexible object thereto, and a pair of oppositely disposed members hinged to the front of the frame for concealing the said anchored terminal portions, each of said members being of compound curvature in lengthwise section.

7. In a buckle, a frame, a. pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said frame, said grippers and frame having coacting means for anchoring the end terminal portions of a flexible object thereto, a pair of oppositely disposed members hinged to the front of the frame for concealing the said anchored terminal portions, and means for normally maintaining said members in concealing position.

8. In a buckle, a frame, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said frame, said grippers and frame having coacting means for anchoring the end terminal portions of a flexible object thereto, a pair of oppositely disposed members hinged to the front of the frame for concealin the said anchored terminal portions, eac of said members being of compound curvature in lengthwise section, and means for normally maintaining said members in concealing position.

9. In a buckle, a frame, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidablymounted on said frame, said grippers and frame having coacting means for anchoring the end terminal portions of a flexible object thereto, a pair of oppositely disposed members hinged to the front of the frame for concealing the said anchored terminal portions, and said frame having spaced shoulders for limiting the slidable movement of said grippers.

10. In a buckle, a frame, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said frame, said grippers and frame having coacting means for anchoring the end terminal portions of a flexible object thereto, a pair of oppositely disposed members hinged to the front of the frame for concealin the said anchored terminal portions, each 0 said members being of compound curvature in lengthwise section, and said frame having spaced shoulders for limiting the slidable movement of said grippers.

11. In a buckle, a frame including end bars, a pair of oppositely disposed grippers slidably mounted on said frame and opposing said end bars, said grippers and bars having coacting means for anchoring the end terminal portions of a shoe lace thereto, and a pair of oppositely disposed members hinged to the frame for concealing said anchored terminal portions.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

. DAISY RAY. 

